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amily tree BY SHERIL BE NNE T T TURNER
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id you know that South Carolina is known as the “Tastier Peach State”? Ranked right behind California, and just ahead of Georgia in peach production, the South Carolina peach has long been a valuable asset to our state’s economy. With its ideal climate, rich soil, and rolling hills, the Piedmont area produces large, sweet, tasty peaches. And when I think of tasty peaches in Greer, I think of Fisher’s Orchards. In the 1930s, during the hard, uncertain times of the Great Depression, Ruben J. Fisher and his bride, Annie Henson Fisher, settled in the hills of the Blue Ridge near Greer. Following in the footsteps of their fathers, both of whom were peach farmers, R.J. and Annie started their own orchard in the rich, fertile soil surrounding their new home. Though times were tough, R.J. and Annie survived on self-sufficiency, strong family values, and community spirit. With the advent of new machinery and better production methods over the years, Fishers Orchards have become an established name with the help of R.J. and Annie’s sons, Charles and his wife Bertha, and Tommy with his wife Carol. Three generations of Fishers have worked the orchards. In 1969, R.J. Fisher retired and the two brothers took over their father’s business. Up to this time, the peaches on the farm, like most peach orchards of that day, were raised for commercial purposes, sold to canneries, or packed and shipped off by railroad to market. But in 1968, Carol Fisher remembers how that all changed.
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“In 1968, Papa was still working on the farm, and we had the peaches sold to a cannery. But the cannery boiler blew up so they couldn’t take the peaches that year. So, Papa called the Greenville News and they ran an ad in the paper for people to come out and pick their own peaches, and that was something people had never been able to do before. The only thing that people were allowed into the orchards for was what they called ‘gleaming.’ The pickers went through and picked and then other folks were allowed in to gleam the trees, or get the leftovers, so people were only used to getting the last pick of the peaches. Well, this was the first time there had ever been a choice of the whole orchard. “After that year we thought we’d just go back to the old way, but the folks kept coming back. We decided that maybe this was something good that we should start doing since people enjoyed it so much. So, Charles and Tommy developed the pick-your-own orchards down on Fisher Road.” Spraying, pruning, thinning, picking — there’s something to be done in the peach orchard every month of the year. During picking season that means seven days a week. “Peaches don’t understand that Sunday’s a day of rest and the Lord’s Day,” Carol laughs. “You have to keep up with the picking of the peaches, and you can’t let them get behind, because if you do, they’ll get too soft.” During the relatively slow month of October, the Fishers devised a way to supplement their income after
R.J. Fisher (left) and his son Tommy Fisher (below) are two generations of peach farmers.
peach season, but more importantly, a way to give back to the community they love. An educational, fun experience, “Fisher’s Orchard in the Fall,” introduces small children to a farm experience, something many children do not get to come in contact with. “You’d be surprised how many children do not realize that cotton in their clothes was once a growing plant, a natural fiber,” explained Carol. School groups, day care centers, mother’s groups, and families learn about the crops grown in this area, take hay rides, pet farm animals, and collect pumpkins and apples to take home. It’s an annual Fisher family affair where everyone participates in the fun and festivities. GreerNow JUNE 2006
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Carol Fisher (left) and daughter-in-law Georgia tend the Taylors Shed on Highway 101.
Today, R.J.’s son Tommy continues to run the dayto-day family business with his wife Carol. Fisher’s Orchard has continued to grow with the help of son Mark and his wife Georgia, and daughter Chris and her husband Tim Salter. Fisher’s Orchard offers approximately forty different peach varieties, as well as nectarines and plums, at their fresh produce stands and pick-your-own fields. From May until Labor Day, fresh peaches are available. “It seems like peaches are people’s favorite fruit,” Carol expresses. “Perhaps you can go to the grocery store any time of the year and buy an apple, or you can buy bananas, or you can buy a lot of things, but you cannot buy good peaches. When the fresh peaches are in, people just want to eat a lot of them.” I couldn’t agree more.
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Annie Fisher’s Easy Peach Pie In a greased baking dish place slices of 7-8 average-size fresh peaches. Make syrup by placing peach juice and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan and bringing to a boil. Make batter by using 1/2 stick butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup flour sifted with 1 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Pour batter over peaches, then pour boiling syrup over. Bake at 350˚F until browned, about 30 minutes. Serve plain or with whipped cream or ice cream.
Creamy Peach Dessert for Baby Take fresh peaches and cut an “X” into the flesh of each one. Blanch in boiling water for 1 minute, then
cool in cold water. Remove skin and pit, steam for 5 minutes. Puree to desired consistency. Freeze individual servings of pureed peaches in plastic bags for use when needed. To make dessert, mix 1 serving of pureed peaches with cooked baby cereal and breast milk, formula, or whole milk.
“Peaches and Cream” Complexion Peaches are rich sources of vitamins A and C, as well as skin-renewing alpha hydroxy fruit acids. For a “peaches and cream” complexion, save your peach peels from the recipes, and before bed, gently massage the inside of the peels on your face. Because the peach acid acts as an astringent, you’ll have firmer, fresher skin in the morning.
South Carolina Peach Facts • • • • • • •
South Carolina is the “Tastier Peach State.” Peaches were discovered in South Carolina as early as the late 1600s. There are at least forty peach varieties grown in South Carolina. More than 200 million pounds of peaches are harvested in the state in a normal year. There are approximately 18,000 acres of peach orchards in the state. The South Carolina peach industry has been valued as high as $35 million. Weather is the most crucial condition for growing crops. If the weather changes even one or two degrees at a critical time, it could make or break a peach crop.
Fisher’s Orchards Roadside Market Historical Taylor’s Shed 864-877-0443 1100 Locust Hill Road (Hwy. 290/101, 3 blocks off Wade Hampton Blvd.) June through August Monday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fisher’s Pick Your Own Orchard Next to Mt. Lebanon Church 864-895-2892 262 Fisher Road, Greer, SC 29651 Monday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Open June to August for pick your own peaches and well as already picked. Fisher’s Peach Outlet 864-895-2892 1698 North Pleasantburg Drive June through August Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. www.fishersorchard.com
Tips for Selecting the Best Peaches •
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Local peaches are picked at the peak of their sweetness. They don’t become sweeter as they soften. Avoid peaches that are too soft, since they are overripe and will spoil quickly. Look for peaches that have a yellow or creamy color, because they are the sweetest. Avoid peaches with a tinge of green — they’ve been picked too early and will not be sweet. Sweet peaches have a wonderful fragrance, don’t hesitate to give them the aroma test! l
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